The Royal Mail launched its fifth Dog Awareness Week as new figures show there are seven dog attacks on postal workers every day.

The attacks most often happened at the front door or in the garden, usually when a dog is not kept under control, according to the figures.

There were around 2,470 attacks in the past year, down by 7%, some leading to permanent and disabling injuries.

Dr Shaun Davis, of the Royal Mail, said the number of attacks is ‘unacceptable’.

Dr Davis added: "There have been around 14,500 attacks on our postmen and women over the last five years, with over 2,400 this year alone. Some of these attacks have led to extremely serious and life-changing injuries and this is unacceptable.

The Royal Mail says there were seven dog attacks on postal workers every day (Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

"While the number of dog attacks on postmen and women has fallen in the last year, the numbers are still far too high.

"Our postmen and women need to be able to deliver the service they provide to communities across the UK, without the risk of injury.

"We need to keep raising awareness of this serious issue and ask all dog owners to keep their pets under control and be a responsible dog-owner."

Communication Workers Union safety officer Dave Joyce said: "Seven postal workers attacked by dogs every day of the year is unacceptable and the whole idea of Dog Awareness Week is to highlight the problem and the repercussions for dog-owners and the victims, many of whom are seriously injured.

"Over 70% of dog attacks on postmen and women occur on the garden path or at the doorstep of the dog's owner home. It just needs owners to restrict their animals access to the front garden or to put their dog in another room before opening the door to collect a parcel or sign for an item."

One owner was recently fined £8,800 after his dog injured a postwoman's fingers as she put letters through the door.

Dog owners could be slapped with a £100 fine if they break the following rules in areas covered by Public Spaces Protection Orders.

Dog owners must:

Remove their dog’s waste

Keep their dogs on leads in public roads, pavements and verges

Stop their dogs from entering fenced children’s play areas or farms

Limit the number of dogs they have out for a walk at the same time in public